A MAN allegedly stabbed the father of his girlfriend's child to death in broad daylight, a court has heard.

Maurice Jones is standing trial at Winchester Crown Court after he denied murdering Tsvetomir Genov, 20, in Bemerton Heath on August 22 last year.

The 25-year-old, originally from Bermuda, moved from the Midlands to Salisbury on August 10 to be with partner Sinead Hughes who he met online.

The pair had entered into an "intense" online relationship while Miss Hughes was co-parenting with Mr Genov and Jones was "unhappy" with the arrangement.

Barry McElduff, prosecuting, told the court how Jones was "determined that when he arrived in Salisbury things would have to change".

Wiltshire Times: Tsvetomir Genov died on August 22, 2023.Tsvetomir Genov died on August 22, 2023. (Image: Contributed)

Before the day Mr Genov died, Miss Hughes asked him whether he could keep their child for an extra night as it was Jones' birthday.

This was "not very well received" and an argument broke out over text messages between Miss Hughes and Mr Genov.

At some point Jones took Miss Hughes' phone and told Mr Genov to "watch who he's talking to" and his girlfriend is "not having no one tonight (sic)".

As Mr Genov left his parent's house with his child in a stroller, Jones left Miss Hughes' flat armed with a 21cm kitchen knife, the prosecution alleged.

Jones, accompanied by friend Neo Moores, bumped into Mr Genov on the corner of Gainsborough Close and St Michael's Road where a commotion unfolded.

Wiltshire Times: The scene on St Michael's Road, where Mr Genov died.The scene on St Michael's Road, where Mr Genov died. (Image: Newsquest)

While doorbell footage does not show the interaction, a man was heard screaming in pain during the audio played in court.

It's said that Jones stabbed Mr Genov "at least eight times" with the fatal blow being one to his lower left back. 

Jones then ran away with Mr Moores, discarded his knife, trousers and shoes before disappearing for 70 minutes, Mr McElduff claimed.

When he was arrested, Jones told armed officers his name was Reece John and that he was not wearing shoes because they had been stolen.

In an interview, he said: "After the first stabbing I lost control. I am remorseful for this man's death it was never my intention to kill him."

Jones pleaded not guilty to murder and possessing a bladed article on December 13.

The court heard how Miss Hughes and Mr Genov's relationship had "tough times" with occassional violence but there were "more good times than bad".

"Miss Hughes was certainly not in fear of Mr Genov. But she will tell you that none of that cut any ice with Mr Jones who made it clear things would have to change when he arrived in Salisbury," said Mr McElduff.

"It carries all the hallmarks of a jealous, controlling individual who will remove something if they cannot control it."

Wiltshire Times: The crime scene on Gainsborough Close after Mr Genov died.The crime scene on Gainsborough Close after Mr Genov died. (Image: Spencer Mulholland)

In summing up the prosecution's opening statement, Mr McElduff said: "Mr Jones armed himself with a knife. There was no good reason for him to do so.

"The posturing by both men in the messages that day - the preparedness that day to have a fight - didn't for one moment justify Mr Jones taking such a lethal knife with him to the scene let alone use it.

"He took a knife not because he was threatened but because he wanted to assert his authority and nothing anyone was going to say or do was going to stop him.

"When he stabbed Mr Genov multiple times wasn't acting to defend himself. He was angry. He wanted to be the only man in Miss Hughes' life.

"There was nothing driven by fear in Mr Jones' actions that day. Mr Genov's death was all about teaching him a lesson."